The visits of friendship undertaken by H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan,
President of the United Arab Emirates are innumerable and need thousands of pages to describe. We will select some of these visits to illustrate his strategy, and how he embarked on consolidating and strengthening co-operation and friendship. The renowned French daily newspaper LE FIGARO printed the truth when it stated in its September 10, 1991 issue:"Zayed is a President who cares for progress."
On September 9, 1991, Sheikh Zayed, the man who truly knows gratitude and sincerity, visited France and was cordially welcomed by the French people. President François Mitterrand received H.H. Sheikh Zayed at Orly Airport though he habitually receives his guests at the Elysée Palace. Being received as an Arab leader and friend indicated that the French President and the people of France respected and appreciated him. This is so, because he is a man of values and principles and a great advocate of peace. He bases his relationship on co-operation and mutual understanding, trust and respect.
On this occasion H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan gave a speech in which he said:"The friendly relationship with France is based on mutual respect after we have previously felt the French honesty and sincerity in co-operation with us."
He gave a speech at a dinner reception:"Our visit to your country comes within the framework of the distinguished historical friendship relations between our countries in all fields. France's active and positive contribution to the efforts of development and construction in the United Arab Emirates has always been admired and appreciated by us."
He demonstrated a courageous historical stance when he gave a statement to the daily Le Monde about Gulf security in which he said:"We do not accept any presence of foreign bases on our land. We do not condone any thing of this sort. We only accept our friend's assistance when we need it, but permanent bases are out of question."
ZAYED IN EGYPT
On September 12, 1991, H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates paid a visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, where he was warmly welcomed by President Hosni Mubarak.
The Egyptian people gave Sheikh Zayed a warm and cordial welcome, a celebratory and appreciative one.
In his communiqué about the visit, H. H. said, "Our visit to Egypt offers us the opportunity to see at close range the great achievements of the Egyptian people which make us happy and proud. I am sure that this visit will give new impetus to the strong relations and ties between our countries, based on brotherhood, love and respect. This relationship is considered as an example to be followed."
Owing to the strong ties which link the two countries, H.H. Sheikh Zayed gave statement a to the Egyptian press on September 16, 1991, in which he said."Egypt is indispensable to the Arab nation and likewise the Arab nation is indispensable to Egypt."
Dr. Ismat Abdul Majeed expressed his appreciation of Sheikh Zayed when he was quoted as saying to the Emirates News Agency:"H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan is a real Arab leader, who always cared for Arab solidarity, patching up rifts and realizing Arab reconciliation."
Mr. Amru Moosa spoke about this visit and said:"We in Egypt are very happy with this visit of a brother and great Arab leader who is well known for his political foresight and prudence."
Al Masaa daily newspaper wrote on September 16, 1991 about Sheikh Zayed:"Sheikh Zayed is a unique personality among Arab leaders; he is of the original Arab mould, and represents the real deep-rooted Arab personality. He exhibits the traits of an astute statesman who is deeply aware of what is going on in his region and in the world at large. His personality allowed him to achieve an economic miracle in his State and convert it into a modern advanced country, in the fullest sense of the word."
ZAYED IN SYRIA
Sheikh
Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's visit to Syria came as an expression of the
brotherly ties and those ultimate common goals, which are inextricably bound up,
with the destinies of the two countries.
At the
aircraft stairs, H.H. the President of the United Arab Emirates received a warm
welcome from his brother President Hafez Al Assad who embraced him warmly.
His Highness, President of the UAE gave a press statement in which he said:"Our visit to Syria manifests brotherly ties and common goals, and it is an expression of our appreciation of the brave stance in support of rights and brotherhood during the Gulf crisis, as well as the fact that we are very proud of this stance."
Sheikh Zayed visited Syria in the beginning of 1974, in October 1983 and then on August 15, 1987. The aim of these frequent visits was to bring the Arab and Islamic nations together and to unify their efforts in pursuit of the Arab nation's interest, strength, dignity and solidarity in facing to crucial challenges.
ZAYED IN CHINA, JAPAN AND INDONESIA
His first visit to the outside world was to Britain in 1953, and then later he visited the USA, Switzerland, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, India, Iran, Pakistan, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and others. These visits helped him to establish good relations, and gain insight into experiences and convictions relating to the country's need for reformation, renaissance and progress. He still undertakes these enriching visits, which reflect in many positive outcomes that evident everywhere.
The United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Zayed, has been focused on creating strong ties with the entire world, based on mutual respect, educational, cultural and economic co-operation, and exchange of expertise in many fields.
Sheikh Zayed's powerful insight has proved that openness to the world is necessary for strengthening the UAE's relations with the three Asian giant states of the Far East (China, Japan and Indonesia). Arab and International media took an interest in His Highness's tour to these countries because it was a very strategic move, a conscious aspiration on the part of H.H. based on broad vision of the future. The awareness by these states of Arab issues, and the establishment of a trade exchange base, will allow the United Arab Emirates and the Arab World to reap many benefits.In an article published in the Kuwaiti daily Al Rai Al Am about H.H. Sheikh Zayed's visit, there was a very important indication of His Highness's intention:ÒIn his current Asian tour, H.H. Sheikh Zayed is using his material and moral weight to serve the Arab cause and to confirm to these countries and their people that Arabs are exposed to injustice and they should participate in lifting such injustice."
The outcome of this visit was the establishing of strong commercial and economic relations with Japan, China and Indonesia, and the understanding of these countries for the Arab's position and issues.
The daily newspaper Sewar Karia [ Surabaya Post !] the mouthpiece of the ruling party in Indonesia wrote:"Sheikh Zayed's success in establishing a stable Federation is very remarkable if we take into consideration the Bedouin life style that knows no frontiers and naturally is inclined to independence."
I have relied on the "Zayed and Foreign PolicyÓ book published by the Presidential Court to excerpt His Highness's statements on various occasions, through which his foreign policy can be at least described as constant, sensible and accurate, colored by wisdom, astuteness, determination and justice. It is a methodology of clear features and balanced dimensions, enriched with integrated systems and aspects that are timely and intellectually and historically compatible. This has added a brighter dimension to Zayed's leadership in the critical period the Arab nation has been living through, so as to realize the future of its unity and those goals it aspires to achieve.
"The importance of our country from the strategic and economic point of view adds special significance to the foreign policy we adopt in dealing with all states and nations, near or far."
"We have no doubt that the recognized concept of peace does not overlook the reference to justice as a vital and significant constituent. Unjust peace is a fictitious and a meaningless term."
"The main cause for Arabs is the Palestinian issue. America has to take the initiative to solve this problem once and for all. Any delay in solving this issue causes instability in the region."
"The only solution to achieve a breakthrough in any dilemma that plagues the Arab nation rests with its alliance and unified policy, because the Arab nations have the same destiny and the same goal."
"The complete isolation that the region lived in for many years was due to circumstances beyond the control of its people. When we began the policy of openness, all that we wanted was to bring things back to normal."
"Gulf unity is the dearest wish of the people in the region. We have to do our best to support this unity by promoting the federal institutions in our State, the beloved United Arab Emirates."
"We must stop every now and then to review our steps thoroughly and accurately so as to choose the best and get rid of the rest, until we reach the full and comprehensive unity."
"We do not commit ourselves to another State, whether economically, militarily or politically except within the limits of our interest only. Therefore, we refuse the establishment of any foreign military bases whatsoever in the region."
"The real value of the GCC Council lies in the fact that it was the outcome of lengthy, non-stop and sincere efforts in the past years, by the countries in the region to crystallize and consolidate the aspects of co-operation and co-ordination among themselves."
"We support every effort and endeavor to stop the war between Iraq and Iran, and to end the woes, calamity and great losses associated with it, not only to these two Muslim countries but to us all."
"We in the Arabian Gulf consider ourselves to be one united family, which steadily proceeds towards greater unity as part of a more comprehensive Arab unity."
"As a matter of fact, the solution to the Middle East crisis is in the hands of the Arab World. If the Arabs agree to solve the problem in the manner deemed suitable by them away from any kind of hypocrisy, the Middle East crisis will be solved."
"We fully support the efforts exerted in reaching a final solution through the Arab League, since our brothers in Lebanon are unable to solve their problem. The war in Lebanon is a very strange kind of war, because it is indeed against the interests of the entire Arab nation."
"We will never forget how the nation won the war against the enemy, in 1973. It was a victory made by all, because of solidarity, the feeling that the nation is one nation, the belief in the fact that the destiny is one and that Arabs are united by one blood. There were no barriers in the Ramadan battle."
"How can a person give up his own right, especially when this right represents the homeland itself?" (110)."The brave Palestinian Intifada is the uprising of an unarmed people who reject slavery and yearn for liberation and for human rights."
"We, as Arabs and Muslims, have not utilized the wealth and power bestowed upon us by God and never knew how to exploit such wealth and power in favor of our Muslim nation."
"I have full confidence in Egypt's role and weight in the Arab nation, and that has prompted me to try to bring it back to the Arab nation and vice versa."
"Our friendship with Iran is a matter dictated by a relation of friendly neighbors; this should prevail between all countries in the region. Such relations require good understanding on our part so as to maintain common interests."
"In all our steps, we will never deviate from our Islamic heritage. The influence of civilization will not prevent adherence to our exalted values and ethics, nor will it sweep us off the roots tying us to the land which gave birth to these values and ethics."
"We don't discriminate between Muslims and Christians and we distinguish between religions. We as Muslims have the same look to all revealed religions because they all have the same ultimate goal, worshipping God Almighty."
"The question raised by the entire world in utter astonishment is why is the USA supporting Israel and providing it with money and arms? Is Israel a victim or an aggressor?"
